Advertising-arch



No. 6l4,799. Patented Nov. 22 I898. c. B. DODSON & E. s. ARCHIBALD.

ADVERTISING ARCH.

(Application filed May 27, 1898.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Shet l.

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(614,799. 'Patented Nov. 22, I898.-

C. B. DODSON & E. G. ARCHIBALD.

ADVERTISING ARCH.

(Application filed May 27, 1898,) (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLAY B. DODSON AND EDMUND G. AROHIBALD, OF EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA.

ADVERTISING-ARCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 614,799, dated November 22, 1898. Application filed May 27, 1898. Serial No- 681,962. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CLAY B. DODSON and EDMUND G. ARoH1BALD,citizens of the United States,residing at El Monte,in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Advertising-Arch, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates particularly to light signs of very rigid construction which will be suitable to be placed across country-roads or across wide streets or avenues and whereon may be displayed advertisements or any other matter which it is desired to display in such a place.

Our invention comprises the various features of construction and combinations of parts whereby we are enabled to provide a device of this character which will have slight weight and yet shall be of the utmost rigidity and strength, so as to absolutely avoid all danger of accidents arising from the sign being blown down by high winds or destroyed.

from other causes.

The accompanying drawings illustrate our invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of our improved arch in position extending across a roadway. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

and are of a size sufficient to withstand the strain to which they will be subjected.

B B represent, respectively, upper and lower parallel side members, which are each correspondingly arched and are composed, preferably, of tubular sections b of equal length connected with each other by means of Ts O C. The stems c of the Ts G are provided with right-hand threads and the stems c of the Ts O are provided with left-hand threads, or vice versa, and stay members D, each having its ends provided with right and left hand threads to screw into the Ts, are arranged connecting the T5 with each other, so as to form the space between the side members into series of sections 1 2 3, &c., as shown in the drawings. Each side member is provided at its ends, respectively, with a thrust plate or block E, which plates are adapted to rest within sockets (1, provided in the posts. These thrust-blocks are firmly secured to the posts by meansof boltsd.

In order to make the construction extremely rigid, we arrange wooden body-sections F F, &c., firmly fitted into and filling the spaces between the side members and the stay members. These body sections are formed of matched lumber and are arranged contacting with the inner faces of the side members and the stay members, so as to form a rigid support therefor. In order to hold these bodysections in place, we provide clamps G,which are each formed of strap-iron and are provided with a longitudinal groove 9 to fit upon the side of one of the stay members, as shown, and having a tongue g, which fits against the side of the body member. Bolts G, passing diagonally through the clamp-plates and the side members, draw the clamps toward the side members and firmly clamp the tongues against the body-sections, so as to hold them rigidly in place. The tongues or flanges 9 also serve to stiffen or strengthen the side members against vertical flexure.

In order to firmly hold the sign from swaying sidewise, we provide truss-arms 1-1 H, which are secured to the upper member B and project laterally therefrom, and around each post is arranged a strap I, and each strap is provided upon each side with an eye I, through which truss-rods J pass, and each of which is secured by means of tighteningnuts J. This avoids weakening the posts by boring holes therethrough to receive the trussrods.

To the bottom member B we secure triangular truss-arms K. Each truss-arm comprises two side members 7t and a cross member 70', and truss-rods J seat in the seats which are provided at the ends of the truss arms and lead from thence diagonally upward and are secured to a strap I, as before explained, so that the truss-rods J not only prevent sidewise flexure of the member B, but also tend to support it in its arched p0 sition.

L L are side stays for the posts A A.

In practice the posts A A will be placed upon the ground at the point where it is desired to erect the sign, the end Ts, which are of special construction and arc'provided with flanges, are bolted to the truss-blocks, and the end stay member is then screwed into the Ts, and the thrust-blocks are bolted to one of the posts. Then one section of the side member B and one section of the side member 13 are screwed into the Ts, and a T is screwed upon the outer end of each section. One member of the clamps G having been previously secured to each of the sections of the side members the boards forming the rigid body-section are then closely fitted between the side members and against the first stay member. A sulficient number of boards are placed in position to bring the body-section opposite the point where the second stay member will be arranged when in position. Then the second stay member is placed between the two Ts and its right and left hand threads are started into the right and left hand threads of the Ts, and the two side members are drawn or einched tightly against the ends of the boards forming the body-section. Then the other member of the clamps G is placed upon the opposite side of the side members and tightly bolted thereto, thus binding the boards form-ingthe body-section tightlybetween the two tongues of the two clamp members. Then the remaining sections are built up in the same manner, the different stay members operating to cinch the side members tightly against the ends of the boards forming the body members, and insuring absolute rigidity of the sign when constructed.

The truss-arms having been seen red in their proper places the straps are placed around the posts and secured, and the truss-rods J J are placed in position and drawn taut by means of the tightening nuts. Then the sign is elevated by tackle or other power applied to the two posts, and after the posts are firmly seated in the soil the side stays will be attached, as shown in the drawings. By reason of the body-sections being seated in line with the axis of each of the tubular side members there is no tendency of sidcwise strain being applied to the structure, and the rigid sections give a rigidity to the structure which would in practice he suflicient to enable it to withstand any ordinary strain. By the addition of the truss-rods such rigidity is insured that there is absolutely no danger of the sign becoming blown down or broken by high winds or from any other cause.

It will thus be seen that we secure a maximum amount of rigidity with a minimum amount of material and produce ahighly-ornamental arch divided into spaces of a size suitable for displaying advertisements.

Now having described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination set forth of the supporting-posts; the two parallel arched side members connecting the posts with each other; the stay members rigidly secured to the side members and connecting them with each other; the rigid body-sections closely filling the spaces between the side members and the stay members; means for holding the body-sections in place; the laterally-projecting truss-arms secured to the side members intermediate their ends; and the truss-rods, passing over the truss-arms and staying the side members against sidcwise movement.

2. The combination set forth of the supporting-posts; two parallel tubular arched side members connecting the posts with each other, each side member being composed of sections of equal length connected with each other by Ts, the stems of the Ts of one side member being provided with right hand threads, and the stems of the Ts of the other side member being provided with left-hand threads; tubular stay members each provided at one end with right-hand threads and at the other end with left-hand threads and each having one end screwed into a T of one side member, and its other end screwed into a T of the other side member; rigid body-sections tightly fitted into and filling the spaces between the side members and the stay members; means for holding the body-sections in place; and suitable truss-rods for trussing the arch against sidcwise fiexure.

3. The combination set forth of the supporting-posts; two parallel arched tubular side members, each provided at each end with a thrust-block to seat against the posts, and composed of sections connected with correspondingly-spaced Ts, the stems of the Ts of one member being provided with righthand threads, and the stems of the Ts of the other side member being provided with lefthand threads; stay members having their ends provided with right and left hand screwthreads to screw into the Ts; rigid body-sections tightly fitted into and filling the spaces between the side members and the stay members; means for holding the body-sections in place; laterally extending truss arms socured to the upper side member; truss-rods passing over such truss-arms and secured to the posts; triangular truss-arms projecting downward and outward from the lower side members; and truss-rods passing over the ends of the truss-ai.'ms and. secured to the posts.

4. The combination set forth of the tubular side members; the stay members rigidly connecti ng the side members with each other; the wooden body-section fitted into the space between the side members and the stay members; the clamps arranged upon each side of each body member, each formed of strap metal having a longitudinal channel to fit upon the side of the side members and also provided with a projecting lip to fit against the side of the body-section; and the bolts passing diagonally through the clamps and the side members and clamping the clamps stay members; and clamps secured to the IO tightly against the body-section. side members and clamping the body mem- 5. In an arch, the combination set forth of bers in place. tWo arched tubular side members composed of short lengths secured together by Ts stay AI D members connecting the side members with each other and dividing the arch into sections; Witnesses: rigid body-sections tightly fitted into the ALFRED I. TOWNSEND, spaces between the side members and the JAMES R. TOWNSEND. 

